permission to pitch this jacket?

I know you're gonna say, "If you're asking permission, then it's a no brainer..."
But my dilemma comes because
#1- every time I wear this jacket I get compliments
#2- it's the only colored jacket I own
#3- it's a good transitional piece (between super cold and warm weather)

I tried to wear it today but ended up throwing on another jacket because there is something about this jacket that bothers me and I can't put my finger on it-- I think it seems too "smart" and I feel "office-ey" in it. But then I threw it on again to take pics and thought, maybe it's just in my head.... oh, and the other thing that bugs me is the way it kindof flares out at the bottom (which is why I posted the second pose of me holding my arms out like a doofus) I wonder too if what is bothering me is the long sleeves underneath- possibly it needs short sleeves?

I picked it up at NY&C 2 or 3 years ago for $5 so it's not even that I feel that I have to keep it to get my moneys worth. I guess I wonder if I"m being too critical and am at risk of getting rid of a perfectly good jacket that I can get some wear out of.

here are the pics

http://www.flickr.com/photos/4.....255069022/

stupid pose so you can see how it flares out at the hip
http://www.flickr.com/photos/4.....otostream/

here's a pic of how I wore it a while back- not as good of lighting
http://www.flickr.com/photos/4.....255077456/

thanks for looking and for your input ladies!

16 years ago

marianna

Veteran

Well... I personally think it looks good! I wear jackets like that all the time. I think you just have to adjust your eye to the look. It doesn't look officey at all to me, rather very chic and stylish. I love it with the pearls.

I vote that it's all in your head and keep.

Vani

I think you look fantastic in the first outfit. The jacket looks great and you're done a fab job of putting together an outfit, esp the pearls.

I second the vote that it's all in your head and to keep

MNsara

Okay - I was in the minority about the Target dress (and I respectfully acknowledge my lack of discernment), but where I like the jacket well enough, I don't like any sleeves sticking out from underneath.

If you are getting compliments don't just pitch it (even if it was just $5), try it with tops underneath where the sleeves stay out of sight. If you wear a woven shirt with cuffs, try folding the cuff back over the rolled up jacket sleeve (I see this looking very put together on others, but I feel the bulk too much on myself).

I'm looking forward to hearing input from others. . .

P.S. The pearls and scarf go well with the jacket proportions (I think)

Queen Mum

thanks Marianna- the word I was looking for finally came to me- and no offense to any blazer wearers, but for some reason blazers (on me) say "matronly". Maybe it's from an old childhood trauma or something, who knows.....

Tricia

Huh. I like it - it doesn't look too office-y at all to me!

must have been posting at the same time as Vani and sara-wasn't trying to ignore you.

Sara- you weren't in the minority about the target dress- it was a split if I remember (and I haven't made up my mind about that one) I do think you're right about the sleeves, and didn't realize that myself until I saw the photos. Wierd how that works. I have a hard time with button ups under jackets, but I'll give it a whirl- that would be a cute look to have the sleeves folded up over the jacket cuff. It just seems to be too much going on when I have multiple collars.

Kristine

I have the same hang up with blazers, so I totally understand. I do think it looks nice though. The pink outfit is very pretty. Have you tried wearing it urban style (for lack of a better term)- skinny jeans, high boots, graphic t or something like that? In other words, take everything you don't like about it (office or matronly feel) and try to counteract it.

Yes - try kristine's urban style recommendations. Use it for one of Angies MOTG formulas and see what you think.

rute

Oh Queenie.. Blazers are great, They create an instant hourglass shape and are so flattering. To look less matronly use it with denin jeans and a white shirt or with skinnies and boots!
I love you blazer it is very flattering!

Kristine,
great advice. You're right. I don't have any graphic t's (I bought several through the season and kept returning them- i just never found the right ones I guess)

I had started to pair this with my black skinnies this morning but thought that the dark denim would give more interest to the outfit. But you are right that I need to add some edgy element to keep myself from feeling office-ey. Maybe I'll try it again tomorrow with my black skinnies and boots.

what would I do without you ladies!

Carole

I like it, and I think it looks great on you, I get what you mean about too officey, I feel that way sometime too, but with the casual scarf it didn't look like the "office" and I think the graffic T would be a way to dress it down. You might regret ditching it.

Misia

What, you don't like it, why?
LOOKS GREAT, my vote - KEEP!

Renata,
It's not that I don't like it, I just get that matronly/officy feeling every time I wear it. So, I was needing confirmation one way or the other.
So, thanks ladies for your overwhelming yay for the jacket, and for the styling option suggestions. I will keep and wear with confidence (without long sleeves poking out ;-0

of course, Angie hasn't weighed in yet..... LOL

Beth

Matronly? Really? Seeing your photo, I can't imagine you ever looking matronly!

I like the jacket. Funk it up as suggested, or wear it as you already are. It looks great! And it was less than the cost of a sandwich!

well, and the other issue was feeling that it was possibly dated- which would explain why I always fear looking matronly in it....

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

Kim, what are you smoking! The blazer looks sensational. That's why you get compliments. You prefer uber casual dressing though, so you might feel that this blazer is too rigid and formal. Personally, I think it's a look that you should build on :0)

Angie- thanks for so concisely stating what I couldn't... yes, you hit the nail on the head. To me, rigid/formal =old=matronly=stuffy. I want to be youthful and fun. But you're right, it's a look that works for me and I need to explore it and not fight it.

My dear Kim, YOU ARE YOUTHFUL AND FUN. The right type of rigid tailoring can only enhance your look. That spells sophistication which is important as we get older :0)

thanks again everyone, you know, I honestly thought this jacket was so questionable. I really thought Angie was going to chime in with "it's a bit dated..." Just goes to show how skewed our own perception can be of our own clothes. If we want to like something, we don't see the flaws, and if we don't want to like something all we see is flaws.

You're right Angie, I do need to make sure my style evolves appropriately with my wrinkles I think for myself there is alot coming into play, mainly the fact that as a younger girl I never felt quite as put together as everyone else (I was certainly never in the running to be voted "best dressed") and then my mid 20's to mid 30's was maternity and postpartum. I finally got my body back to where I am comfortable about 7 years ago, and now at 44 I'm clearly too old to dress like a teen (which I certainly don't want to) but I'm not ready to dress like a little old lady either (which I know you're not telling me to) I do recognize that I need to go for sophistication, but want to keep an element of fun and flirty with that. Anyhow, thanks for letting me ramble... you must hear this type of thing over and over with your clients and just have to roll your eyes- LOL. I'm not looking for affirmation here, just wanted to process my thoughts out loud... thanks for everything

I love that you're processing your thoughts, Kim! Thanks for sharing them. Women at your age who want to look the best that they ever have looked is my specialty and I love every minute of the process. I firmly believe that our style has to evolve with our wrinkles - but there is never any need to take away the fun. Fashion should always be about fun :0)

yublocka

Queenie, for what its worth I don't think you look frumpy AT ALL, but I get what you mean by feeling it. I feel the same way in blazers worn casually, even though I really like seeing them worn on other people in the same way. Funny isn't it?

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